Small College Journal: Six must-see games in the second half

Fans of small college hockey have long appreciated how much the
game has going for it: cozy arenas, raucous crowds, decades and
decades of history in some cases, and an intensity you’d see
in any division.

That said, it’s time to ease back into the schedule after
holiday breaks that stretched up to three weeks for some teams. And
also to target six can’t-miss games the rest of the way.

Friday, Jan. 6: Amherst at Bowdoin

The first-place Lord Jeffs and standout goalie Jonathan La Rose
have navigated the rocky terrain of the NESCAC without a misstep so
far. They’ll get their first stiff test of the new year right
out of the gate in Brunswick, Maine.

Friday, Jan. 13: Norwich vs. Babson (at Fenway Park)

Never mind that it’s a once-in-a-lifetime setting for the
programs and their fans. It’s a good game, too, with Babson
known for its strong second halves. And let’s be honest:
Opponents sure haven’t been having much success against
Norwich indoors.

Thursday, Jan. 26: Plymouth State at UMass-Dartmouth

Based on the results of the last two title games – both
overtime wins by the road team – and the higher stakes (an
auto bid to the NCAA tournament for the first time), the MASCAC
championship in March will be the real must-see TV. Until then,
we’ll enjoy a clash of perhaps the league’s top two
contenders.

Saturday, Jan. 28: Curry at Johnson & Wales

Neither team has lost in the ECAC Northeast all season. This
first meeting might even advance us closer to a
winner-takes-regular-season-title match-up on the last weekend of
the season.

Thursday, Feb. 9: Middlebury at Williams

Two of the better teams in the NESCAC meet twice in three days
-- in Williamstown, Mass., first, and then at Middlebury on
Saturday.

Saturday, Feb. 11: Norwich at Castleton State

First place could be on the line when these two teams meet in
what will surely be a highly-anticipated rematch. The Cadets raced
out to a 3-0 lead when the teams played in Northfield, Vt., in
early December, and then had to hold on for the 3-2 win.

Game of the Week

Utica vs. Castleton State, Friday

The opening round of the Cardinal Classic in Plattsburgh, N.Y.,
pits a pair of top-10 teams against each other, with another
waiting in the wings.

This will be the third of eight straight games away from home
for No. 3 Castleton, a stiff stretch that could see them play
Plattsburgh twice, while No. 9 Utica (9-3) is the only team to beat
No. 2 Oswego.

No. 5 Plattsburgh and Babson will play in the late game Friday,
with the winner meeting Saturday.

“How exciting is this to have all these teams
together?” asked Castleton coach Alex Todd. “I think
three teams are in the top 10. It’s exciting. I think it
could have a lot of effect at the end of the year when (the NCAA)
is determining who’s going to the national
tournament.”

New England Division 3 power rankings

1. Norwich (8-0-1, 6-0 ECAC East)

Who’s going to hand the Cadets their first loss? Best bet
might be Middlebury on Jan. 24.

2. Castleton State (10-1, 7-1 ECAC East)

Talk about your breakout years. Only one player in Division 3
has more goals than the 12 put up by Spartans sophomore Nick
Lazorko.

3. Amherst (7-1-0, 5-0-0 NESCAC)

Only one team in Division 3 – the Milwaukee School of
Engineering – is allowing fewer goals than the Lord
Jeffs’ 1.88 a game.

4. Curry (7-1, 5-0 ECAC Northeast)

Colonels own the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation, putting up
a whopping 5.75 goals a game.

5. Williams (5-1-2, 4-1-1 NESCAC)

Six of the well-balanced Ephmen’s leading scorers are
juniors, a group led by Eric Rubino (5-3-8).